2007 Model Alignment issues

[rolling]

I've been reading thru all these posts about the alignment problems. Nobody has yet specifically mentioned if it affects the 2007 model as well or if they possibly resolved this. I have a new 2007 model with only 2k miles on it and off the lot the alignment was way off. The dealer performed an alignment. It made it a little better but it still drifts excessively to the left at highway speeds. I brought it back to get them to look at it but said they did it right. I asked for a copy of the alignment sheet but the service dept failed to produce it. Is there any thing I can say to them to get them to review this more thouroughly?

[priussoris]

when I had mine done after 5k miles they showed me the printout how far off and then with it corrected.
I would go back and ask for the printout or a copy there of. Remember it is still under warranty I dont know how long after they do the alignment , my service writer told me if it was still bad they would check it out again. I call that good service

[007Prius]

You might have a tire radial pull issue, I would suggest to rotate the front tires to the back and back tires to the front and see how it drives, let us know if that works for you.

[patrickindallas]

At my 5K, the right front was slight out of spec although
right now I can't remember exactly what was out.

The alignment was done for free. I told the service
writer that it was pulling to the left.

[apriusfan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patrickindallas @ Jun 7 2007, 08:36 PM) [snapback]457815[/snapback]</div>

At my 5K, the right front was slight out of spec although
right now I can't remember exactly what was out.

The alignment was done for free. I told the service
writer that it was pulling to the left.
[/b]

Alignment is not something that never changes over the life of the car. With the great quality of road conditions that is present in the S.F. Bay Area, the alignment can change right after you leave the shop - one pothole is all it takes. If you are having problems after the dealer has set the alignment, you could be looking at something else (like mike m posts). At that point, you are looking at having a shop with more qualified expertise (such as a suspension/alignment shop) handle the issue. It will be on your nickel, but if you want a resolution, that will get you one.

[jamesl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rolling @ Jun 7 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]457611[/snapback]</div>

I've been reading thru all these posts about the alignment problems. Nobody has yet specifically mentioned if it affects the 2007 model as well or if they possibly resolved this. I have a new 2007 model with only 2k miles on it and off the lot the alignment was way off. The dealer performed an alignment. It made it a little better but it still drifts excessively to the left at highway speeds. I brought it back to get them to look at it but said they did it right. I asked for a copy of the alignment sheet but the service dept failed to produce it. Is there any thing I can say to them to get them to review this more thouroughly?
[/b]

Let me ask you.... How do you feel this drift? Do you notice this with your hands on the steering wheel?

[priusincc]

I've got approx 1700 miles on car, and can notice pull to left especially when braking, as other have indicated. I talked to dealer and they said could do alignment (N/C), but he recommended wait until first oil change. I'm keeping close eye on any tire wear, but may take it in sooner. Once a tire wear pattern starts it's difficult to counteract it. Of course, another cause for pulling is low tire pressure.

Another thought on pulling to left, it may be aligned this way to counteract the high crown of road, i.e., road slopes slightly to right for drainage, therefore car is aligned to "pull" left to compensate. Any thoughts on this?

Update 7/14/07:
Car was still pulling to left when braking. Took car to dealer for first oil change, and sure enough front end alignment was off: camber and toe of right front wheel. This was at about 2500 miles. They first tried swapping front tires but that made no difference. After alignment everything is in spec, and car drives and stops straight. Also got the cute little diagrams of before and after alignment. All is well now. IMO all new cars should have the alignment checked before you start having tire wear problems. (Unless, of course, you want to wear out the OEM's and buy some real tires.)

[rolling]

After rotating and swapping the tires.. It turned out the tire was defected. tire was changed and problem went away.

[nytimez]

My new '07 - less than 200 miles on it - has a slight, but noticeable, pull to the left as well during breaking.

[dogfriend]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusincc @ Jun 12 2007, 08:24 AM) [snapback]460141[/snapback]</div>

Another thought on pulling to left, it may be aligned this way to counteract the high crown of road, i.e., road slopes slightly to right for drainage, therefore car is aligned to "pull" left to compensate. Any thoughts on this?
[/b]

Looking at the alignment specs per the Service Manual, it appears that they do not purposely offset to one side or the other.

I noticed that my car had strange handling at freeway speed when I first got it, but decided to wait until the 5k service to have it checked.

After the rotation at 5k, I noticed that my car has a very slight pull to the left when braking or coasting. I attempted to get the dealer to check alignment last weekend, but they didn't because they said they couldn't reproduce the issue. So I took it to an alignment shop that was running a "Free Alignment Check"

Here is what they found:


[attachmentid=9087]



I have an appointment to take it back to the dealer on Friday.